Vistara has joined the 280-members global airlines' body IATA ahead of its plans to launch international operations by the second half of this year.

Till now, only two Indian carriers - Air India and Jet Airways - were part of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which has 280 airlines as its members, representing as much as 83 per cent of the total air traffic across 120 countries.

The membership will enable Vistara to collaborate with other international member airlines for codeshare and interline agreements, and provide a seamless travel through an extended global network to the passengers to and from India, the airline said in a release.

"We're extremely proud to join the international community of IATA members. This membership couldn't have come at a better time as we gear up to launch our international operations soon," Vistara chief executive officer Leslie Thng said in a release.

The Delhi-headquartered full service carrier had earlier in September last year completed the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), a pre-requisite for an IATA membership.

"We welcome Vistara as IATA"s newest member airline. India is a key aviation market " it is expected to become the third largest aviation market by 2024. We look forward to working with Vistara in shaping IATA's priorities for India and the global aviation industry," IATA regional vice president for Asia Pacific Conrad Clifford said.

In a first-of-its-kind initiative in the domestic skies, Vistara today launched a chef on-Board programme in partnership with the airline’s caterers, Taj SATS Air Catering Limited.

“Chef on-Board is an innovative and first of its kind initiative in India where uniformed chefs will take direct and instant customer feedback on the new menu introduced today across the network. To launch the program, renowned Taj SATS Group Chef Culinary Development Chef Rajeev Bansal was on board UK970 BOM-DEL and UK 977 DEL-BOM today to interact with the customers in Business and Premium Economy class, seeking their opinion and gauging their reaction to the newly introduced menu. Going forward, Chef Bansal will be available periodically on select flights across Vistara’s network to ensure Vistara’s in-flight catering remains the best food and beverage experience in the skies,” the airline said in a release.

“Vistara has developed an enviable reputation for its food, and with the Chef on-Board initiative in partnership with Taj SATS and the launch of our new menu, we intend to take the experience to a different level altogether. The new menu features all-time Indian, Asian, and Continental favourites, and is based on providing the kind of food choices one would look forward to when going out to eat with friends and family in a nice restaurant.

With Chef on-Board, we want to ensure that we get feedback directly from our customers to help us make the Vistara dining experience even more fulfilling and memorable,” Sanjiv Kapoor, Chief Strategy and Commercial officer of Vistara was quoted in the release.

Vistara is mulling a Boeing 737Max order, which indicates a possible fleet change by the airline from its current aircraft type of Airbus A320s, multiple sources within the industry and the airline told FE. Since Vistara’s current fleet of Airbus A320s is all leased, these aircraft can be returned.

Sources within the airline confirmed that pilots have already been initiated into Max training and the ones hired from SpiceJet have been told by the airline that they need not go in for a conversion training from Boeing to Airbus aircraft type, as SpiceJet is a Boeing fleet and any change of aircraft type needs a conversion training. Other sources indicated that computer-based training on the Max aircraft module is also under way even as it is sending its commercial pilot licence (CPL) holders for a Max training schedule._________________10000 posts (and counting) on Airliners-India.

Boeing Co.’s Dreamliner is poised to win an order from Vistara, the Indian affiliate of Singapore Airlines Ltd., dealing a blow to Airbus SE’s competing A330neo, according to people familiar with the development.

Vistara opted for six 787s with an option to buy four more, according to the people, who asked not to be identified as the information isn’t public. Vistara is considering between the 787-9 and the 787-10 version, which could fly non-stop to European destinations such as London, said one of the people. The most expensive model of the Dreamliner has a list price of $325.8 million, making the order from the Indian carrier worth as much as $3.3 billion, including options._________________10000 posts (and counting) on Airliners-India.

Vistara has become the first airline to implement zero fees for cancellation and ticket changes for a certain category of tickets, if done upto 72 hours before departure, something that the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) had proposed in the new Passenger Charter.

The changes that came into effect from June 9 are applicable for Vistara customers booking its Flexi fares. This will also be valid on tickets booked through third party sites or travel agents, as the ministry specified so. Vistara, in a mailer to travel agents informed that charges of ₹1,500 and ₹2,500 will be charged as change and cancellation fee, respectively, if these changes are effected within (less than) 72 hours of departure.

The mailer also informed that Super Saver (for economy) and Saver categories will be ₹2500 as change fee and ₹3000 as cancellation fee across economy, premium economy and business class. Any cancellation effected within 2 hours of departure will be treated as a no-show (passenger no showing up) and only taxes will be refundable.

The Hindu had earlier reported that some stakeholders had said that a zero charge can be implemented only on tickets booked using an airline App or website. However, the MoCA has specified that it is for the airlines to make necessary changes in existing agreements with travel agents and online travel agents ot travel websites.

On May 22, Vistara’s chief strategy and commercial officer Sanjiv Kapoor had said they had already been offering free cancellations within 24 hours for the past several months, if done on its website or mobile App. This is subject to the travel being atleast seven days away and will continue, he said.

Vistara on Thursday became eligible to fly on overseas routes with the induction of the 21st aircraft in the fleet.

The 21st aircraft, an Airbus A320 Neo plane landed at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport at 0336 hours today, the airline said in a release.

The new aircraft will be deployed to further strengthen the airline's domestic network, it added.

"There's great excitement among all of us at Vistara, as we prepare ourselves for taking the next leap in our journey to fly international. The arrival of our 21st aircraft makes this phase even more special," Leslie Thng, CEO, Vistara said.

"It enables us to strengthen our network further, which gives us the opportunity to offer more choices in terms of frequencies to our ever-growing base of loyal customers," he added.

Vistara said on Wednesday it had ordered 19 jets from Boeing and Airbus for a combined $3.1 billion as it prepares to launch international flights.

As the country enjoys a boom in air travel owing to its growing middle class, airlines are rapidly expanding their fleets to capture a slice of the market.

Vistara, a joint venture between Indian conglomerate Tata and Singapore Airlines, said it would buy six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and 13 planes from Airbus's fleet of A320neo and A321neo aircraft.

"These orders are a landmark step in Vistara's journey and demonstrate our deep-rooted commitment to contributing to the rise of the Indian aviation industry and to offering more choices to our customers," chief executive Leslie Thng said in a statement.

The last year or so saw large consultancies predict a 100 aircraft order from Vistara before the end of 2017. In the end, the order announcement came today, almost a year later and the order itself is a modest one which has seen the airline, a joint venture of TATA – SIA, give business to both Airbus and Boeing.

Vistara has placed orders for A320neo family and the B787 Dreamliner with Airbus and Boeing respectively. Airbus has bagged 13 firm orders for the A320neo family and the airline has not declared the split between the A320neo and the A321neo. Six B787-9 Dreamliner will be added to the Boeing backlog with an option for four more from the Dreamliner family which could well be the -10 version.

The airline has signed up for seven options of the A320neo/A321neo and intends to lease 37 new A320neo/A321neo aircraft from leasing companies. The Airbus aircraft will be delivered from 2019 until 2023 and will be powered by the CFM International LEAP 1-A engines which power its current fleet of A320neo. The B787s will be powered by General Electric FEnx-1B engines and will be delivered between 2020 and 2021.

The airline currently has 13 Airbus A320ceo in its fleet and eight A320neo with one on order which is due in September this year.

In March 2017, NetworkThoughts had published a blog Vistara – Setting the tone for growth where it was predicted that the airline would go for the B787-9 and could look at A321. Today’s order is in line with those predictions.

With this order, both the large manufacturers have continued the dominance in India with Airbus leading the narrow-body segment while Boeing being the leader in wide-body one._________________www.networkthoughts.com

The last year or so saw large consultancies predict a 100 aircraft order from Vistara before the end of 2017. In the end, the order announcement came today, almost a year later and the order itself is a modest one which has seen the airline, a joint venture of TATA – SIA, give business to both Airbus and Boeing.

Vistara has placed orders for A320neo family and the B787 Dreamliner with Airbus and Boeing respectively. Airbus has bagged 13 firm orders for the A320neo family and the airline has not declared the split between the A320neo and the A321neo. Six B787-9 Dreamliner will be added to the Boeing backlog with an option for four more from the Dreamliner family which could well be the -10 version.

The airline has signed up for seven options of the A320neo/A321neo and intends to lease 37 new A320neo/A321neo aircraft from leasing companies. The Airbus aircraft will be delivered from 2019 until 2023 and will be powered by the CFM International LEAP 1-A engines which power its current fleet of A320neo. The B787s will be powered by General Electric FEnx-1B engines and will be delivered between 2020 and 2021.

The airline currently has 13 Airbus A320ceo in its fleet and eight A320neo with one on order which is due in September this year.

In March 2017, NetworkThoughts had published a blog Vistara – Setting the tone for growth where it was predicted that the airline would go for the B787-9 and could look at A321. Today’s order is in line with those predictions.

With this order, both the large manufacturers have continued the dominance in India with Airbus leading the narrow-body segment while Boeing being the leader in wide-body one.

Modest indeed. I have to say I am disappointed. So much expectations from them. Do you know the delivery schedule of the 789s (when will the first arrive)?

Indian full service carrier Vistara, a joint venture of Singapore Airlines and TATA group, announced the launch of “Vistara World” which will have more than 70 hours of video and audio content streamed wirelessly onto personal handled devices and laptop in-flight.

“Vistara World” is expected to be rolled out fleet wide in August 2018 and would offer multimedia library that would include music in genres like Pop, Jazz, Blues, Rock, Electronica, English Retro and Indian, Bollywood and Hollywood movies of different categories such as Drama, Romance, Comedy, Thriller, Action, Adventure. The service will also have Indian and International short programs as well as variety of reading material including the in-flight magazine of the airline.

The airline had first announced the roll out of in-flight Wi-Fi services to be completed by December 2015 but the project was left mid-way after trial on just one aircraft. Rival Jet Airways had soon announced that it would provide similar services too and went live with “JetScreen” in September 2016 and has gradually covered most if not all narrow body aircraft. The airline started screening with Airtime application but recently made a move to launch JetScreen from the airline’s own mobile application. Jet Airways claims to provide content of over 200 hours along with flight path and flight details.

While Vistara has not stated if the streaming would be launched from its own app or another app would be required for the passengers, Google Play has listed Vistara World as an application which allows users to watch content on-board aircraft which have Vistara World wireless in-flight entertainment system installed. The mobile application has been developed by Blue Box Aviation, a Scottish company specialising in providing airlines with latest technology for tablet-based and wireless IFE (In-flight Entertainment).

Vistara World
Source: Google Play Store
Airlines over the world are slowly shifting to the concept of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) which helps the airline keep their costs low by reducing the hardware on-board and also doing away with expensive upgrades to the hardware along with catering to non-responsive IFE and dissatisfied customers on account of such complaints.

The airline currently has 21 aircraft in fleet and its 22nd aircraft, also the last in its existing order is expected in September. The aircraft is rumoured to feature a special livery and will be registered as VT- ATV. This was also the registration of one of the Douglas DC-3 aircraft in the fleet of TATA Airlines, which was nationalised to become Air India._________________www.networkthoughts.com

Indian full service carrier Vistara – a joint venture of Singapore Airlines and TATA announced the launch of “Freedom Fares” on 31st July 2018. The fares, which created divides on social media, were open for sale today. It is applicable for flights operating August 29th onwards.

My first reaction was surprise. The fare choice was expected to be one without baggage, instead it was announced that it is without meals!

The “Vistara Freedom Fares” will be menu-based pricing model designed to let customers pick specific attributes. The airline is calling this a “Pay-for-what-you-value” since the changes are mostly non tangible except for fare without meals. The fare will be classified as “Lite”, “Standard” and “Flexi” in Economy and “Value”, “Standard” and “Flexi” for Premium Economy and Business Class.

A buy-on-board option would be available for the small set of people who have opted for Economy Lite fare and a pre-booking option for meal would be available in future. This would mean additional handling for the airline along with the nitty gritty of a buy on board meal like billing, reconciliation and choice offerings. Club Vistara Silver, Gold and Platinum customers opting for ‘Lite’ fares will continue to get soft benefits such as priority handling, additional baggage allowance, and lounge access, as applicable.

Vistara has signed a $340 million deal with GE Aviation to purchase GEnx-1B engines for its 787-9 Dreamliner fleet of aircraft.

Vistara, a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, intends to use the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners on medium-haul and long-haul international routes. The firm engine order, valued at more than $340 million, is Vistara’s first order for GEnx-powered aircraft, with delivery expected between 2020 and 2021.

GE Aviation has sold more than 2,000 GEnx engines since launching the programme, solidifying it as the fastest selling high-thrust GE engine in history, said the company

“The order from Vistara is yet another demonstration of the trust that airlines around the world have in our products. GE has been a long-term partner in the growth of India’s commercial aviation space. There are over 450 engines in service across India using GE technology and another 200 on order with local Indian carriers. GE engines set the industry standard for fuel efficiency, reliability and outstanding service,” said Jason Tonich, VP Sales - Asia Pacific Region, GE Aviation.

The GEnx’s lean burning twin-annular pre-swirl (TAPS) combustor dramatically reduces NOx and other regulated gases below today’s regulatory limits and enhances durability. As the world’s first commercial engine with both a carbon fibre composite front fan case and fan blades, the GEnx fan module is lighter in weight, corrosion resistant with less line maintenance and improved reliability, and is the quietest engine GE produces, the company said. _________________10000 posts (and counting) on Airliners-India.

Vistara is set to fly on international routes from October. Sources told FE that the airline’s international flights will be from New Delhi to Colombo in Sri Lanka and Phuket, an island off Thailand’s west coast.

Sources said Vistara wanted to fly to Dubai but the quota under the India-Dubai bilateral is full. The quota can be hiked under a new policy, but since Indian carriers are negotiating for better slots at Dubai airport the entire matter is stuck.

Vistara is set to fly on international routes from October. Sources told FE that the airline’s international flights will be from New Delhi to Colombo in Sri Lanka and Phuket, an island off Thailand’s west coast.

Sources said Vistara wanted to fly to Dubai but the quota under the India-Dubai bilateral is full. The quota can be hiked under a new policy, but since Indian carriers are negotiating for better slots at Dubai airport the entire matter is stuck.

I was invited by Vistara for the unveiling of their RETROjet. My experience and pictures.

I landed in Delhi on 1st of September and walked to the DIAL-AEP section for the pass. The area soon turned to a gathering of aviation geeks with many meeting for the first time or re-connecting after a while. As the invitees and media took their pass, we headed to gate#10 to clear security and board the waiting bus to take us to the Air India hanger located next to the cargo terminal at New Delhi Airport. The long bus ride was a treat for one and all but a grim reminder of the airline business, since the bus passed through some Kingfisher Airlines ATR aircraft lying around and then some planes belonging to NEPC and Air Sahara. The bus stopped and we got down to a red-carpet welcome to the hanger._________________www.networkthoughts.com

I was invited by Vistara for the unveiling of their RETROjet. My experience and pictures.

I landed in Delhi on 1st of September and walked to the DIAL-AEP section for the pass. The area soon turned to a gathering of aviation geeks with many meeting for the first time or re-connecting after a while. As the invitees and media took their pass, we headed to gate#10 to clear security and board the waiting bus to take us to the Air India hanger located next to the cargo terminal at New Delhi Airport. The long bus ride was a treat for one and all but a grim reminder of the airline business, since the bus passed through some Kingfisher Airlines ATR aircraft lying around and then some planes belonging to NEPC and Air Sahara. The bus stopped and we got down to a red-carpet welcome to the hanger.

Nice pics and article. Thanks for sharing.

It is good that there are still people around who remember JRD and his contributions to Indian civil aviation.

Nothing of this kind can be expected from the clowns who are in charge of the airline JRD started. They're too much into lining their pockets to care for anything else._________________I don't know which is the more pampered bunch : AI's widebodies (the aunties) or Jet's widebodies (the planes).
-Jasepl

A lovely report, Ameya Sir. Your attention to detail, and your penning down the thoughts that go on in your mind, give a vivid view of the scnee to the reader, as the events unfold. I missed the food pictures
Cheers, Sumantra.

Nothing of this kind can be expected from the clowns who are in charge of the airline JRD started. They're too much into lining their pockets to care for anything else.

Sir, I guess they are too much in the downs now-a-days to even contemplate such activities. However, the buzz around the airport, and Air India staff when Ratan Tata comes to board long-distance Air India flights (at least, before Vistara came into existence): has to be seen to be believed. The Air India staff revere him, not just because of what he is and represents, but also because of the JRD legacy. It really has to be seen to be believed, and one feels blessed that the vision of the great JRD is still not yet lost on `his' airline: the staff, at least.
Cheers, Sumantra.

Vistara will now stream inflight entertainment (IFE) on board its aircraft that passengers can view on their personal electronic devices (PED). The full service airline said on Thursday this complimentary wireless IFE system is now available across its entire network and fleet of 22 aircraft that operate over 120 flights a day.

"The user interface of ‘Vistara World’ that is accessed on customers’ own smart devices or laptops, lets them choose from a multimedia library of over 70 hours of Bollywood and Hollywood content of various genres. Refreshed every month, it features movies of various categories... as well as popular Indian and Western TV programmes and a selection of music including Indian, Pop, Jazz, Blues, Rock, Electronica and English Retro," Vistara said in a statement.

"Vistara World" will also have a live moving map display that allows one to track their aircraft as it flies, as well as reading material including its inflight magazine.

The airline's chief strategy and commercial officer Sanjiv Kapoor said: "We are delighted to roll-out our ‘Vistara World’ wireless streaming inflight entertainment system across our entire network and all flights... This is a significant addition to our product portfolio and fulfils a much sought-after request from our customers.... we are also investing in high-quality, blockbuster Indian and Western content..."

The entertainment content is streamed wireless directly to customers’ handheld smart devices or laptop computers. "The complete range of content is best accessed on the Vistara World app available free for download on Google Play Store (for Android devices) or Apple App Store (for iOS devices), and Vistara highly recommends that customers download these apps prior to their flights. However, digitally unrestricted content on ‘Vistara World’ can also be accessed without the app on customers’ smart devices," the airline said.

British Airways from late-September 2018 is introducing codeshare partnership with Vistara, covering the latter’s domestic India service. From 27SEP18, planned new codeshare routes include the following.

Singapore Airlines Group in early-September 2018 expanded codeshare partnership with Vistara, covering additional 6 routes within India.
Planned new codeshare routes from September 2018 includes the following.

Have looked up a few dates on different routes
BOM-DEL
BOM-ATQ
DEL-LKO as far as Mar 2019 but cannot find any Lite fares. Not that I am interested in that Lite rubbish. Just wondering what happened to the FREEDOM fares. Any inputs will be much appreciated._________________Aerosexual...!

Air Lease Corporation announced today long-term lease agreements for nine Airbus A320-200neo and six Airbus A321-200neo aircraft with Vistara.
The nine A320-200neo aircraft will feature CFM56 LEAP-1A26 engines and will be delivered to Vistara starting in the first quarter of 2021 through 2022.
Featuring CFM56 LEAP-1A32 engines, the six A321-200neo aircraft will be delivered to the airline starting the first quarter of 2020 through 2021.
All 15 aircraft will be delivered from ALC’s order book with Airbus.

Vistara readies for international flights; trains pilots with Scoot for Boeing 787

Dec 12, 2018

Vistara has started training pilots for Boeing 787 aircraft as part of its preparations to launch international services.

Sources told Moneycontrol that Vistara pilots will be deputed to Scoot, the low-cost carrier owned by Singapore Airlines that operates medium and long haul flights from Singapore.

"The pilots from Vistara will be based in Singapore as they do their type rating for B787," an executive from the industry said, adding that the pilots will fly for Scoot to gain experience, the executive said.

Earlier this year, Vistara had confirmed an order for six Boeing 787 Dreamliners. This was part of a larger order worth $3.1 billion. The order also included 13 Airbus A320neo aircraft.

"We are fully prepared to embark upon our international journey and to commence operations immediately after receiving necessary approvals from the authorities. We will be able to share specific details with you at an appropriate time,” said a Vistara spokesperson.

Vistara and Japan Airlines Friday announced a codeshare pact from February 28, making it the fourth such tie-ups for the youngest full-service domestic carrier.

Vistara and the Japanese flag carrier already have an interline/through check-in partnership and the two airlines had signed an initial agreement in September, 2017 to pursue commercial opportunities together, Vistara said in a statement Friday. _________________10000 posts (and counting) on Airliners-India.